Data center developments increasingly sit at the intersection of critical infrastructure, local politics, public perception, and national policy. What was once a largely technical and behind-the-scenes process has become, in many jurisdictions, a highly visible public exercise shaped as much by community dynamics and governance as by zoning and utilities. For operators, investors, and public officials alike, the path to approval now requires a deliberate strategy for transparency, engagement, and risk management.
Join us as we host a conversation featuring seasoned Husch Blackwell attorneys and a representative from the Wisconsin Data Center Coalition (WIDCC). Together, they will explore how high-profile data center projects are assessed, discussed, supported, and challenged in communities nationwide. Drawing from recent projects, municipal experience, and evolving regional practices, the panel will explore what actually works when public scrutiny is unavoidable and when the margin for error is extremely thin.
Key Discussion Areas
- High‑Profile Projects and Why Data Centers Are Uniquely So
- Common Risks in Public Approval Processes
- Factors Unique to Data Center Development
- Transparency and Engagement Strategies That Work in Practice
- Managing Local and Regional Opposition
- Policy Considerations and the Public Process
- Forecasting How To Navigate Forward
Presenters
Tricia Braun, Executive Director, Wisconsin Data Center Coaltion
Kate Johnson, Attorney
Charles Renner, Partner
Who Should Attend
Developers, investors, energy providers, in-house counsel, project finance professionals, and regulatory managers.
Continuing Education Credit
This program is pending approval for Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin continuing legal education credit.
Did you miss the webinar?
The webinar recording is available after the event date. Simply register using this on-demand link to access the recorded program.
Questions?
Contact Cilla Montgomery at 512.370.3457.